July 2010

• Urgent Message concerning Composition or Asphalt Roofs:
  Asphalt or Composition Roofs are not permitted in some phases of Barrington Heights according to the CC&Rs. Even in phases where they are allowed, these roofs require ARC approval … and only certain high-grade products may be used. These requirements are being enforced. Enforcement may require removal or recovering of the roof, at great expense to the homeowner. Protect yourself by getting approval before starting a project that changes your type of roof material.

• Hot Topics
  See the links at the right side of this page for information on key issues affecting homeowners and the Association, including:

  • Cracked sidewalks

  • Street trees

  • Neighborhood Standards Committee & changes to Association Rules

  • Master Plan Committee & changes to common areas

  • Architectural Review requirements and how they affect you

  • Rules & Requirements

• Purpose of the Association
  A purpose statement was adopted at the June Board Meeting to provide additional focus to the activities of the Board and Committees. The motion reads:

It is the sense of the Board that the purpose of Barrington Heights Association of Homeowners is to maintain and enhance the property values in our community. We believe that enjoyment of homeowner property, positive social interaction, as well as consistency of high standards of construction, maintenance and appearance are key factors contributing to high property values.

• Changing your roof? New stone or siding? New Landscaping? Please submit an ARC approval request to protect yourself!
  Our CC&Rs have many requirements, they are inconsistent from phase to phase, and sometimes complicated. What is clear is that all changes to the appearance of our homes require approval by the Architectural Review Committee. The Board is required to enforce this requirement, whenever a change comes to its attention (this is not optional for the Board). The standard legal remedy for failure to obtain approval is restoration of the property to compliance with the CC&R’s. Please don’t make the Board enforce this requirement. Getting approval will give you the assurance that there will not be compliance problems down the road. See the “Architectural Review” link at the right side of this page for more information.

• Common Area Property Damage
  We have suffered the theft of nine of our landscape lights located at two islands on Barrington at Riverknoll Way and Beacon Hill. The bid to replace the lights with a more secure installation will be reviewed at the next Board meeting. There was also unintentional damage to landscaping along the wall south of the Salamo Entrance. Landscape replacement is in process, without cost to Barrington Heights.

• Email Addresses
  The Association spends thousands of dollars each year on printing and postage, at a time when paper communication is becoming passé. It is time to step up and move to electronic communication. The committee will present a proposal to the Board at the August meeting on how to collect these addresses, preserve confidentiality and integrate the process with the website. Please help us by sharing your e-mail when requested later this year. Once we switch-over, much of our written communication will be discontinued.

• Landscape Enhancements
  With the recent work at Imperial Entrance, the three-year project to systematically update and enhance the plantings in common areas has now been completed. Repairs or improvements have been made to landscape or irrigation at twelve islands, entrances or bridges. Landscape lights have been repaired or installed at many of the common areas. Brickwork has been repaired and most common areas have been power washed to remove moss and mildew.

• Reminders of City of West Linn Ordinances
  The City requires that shrubs and trees adjacent to the sidewalk be pruned so that they do not interfere with pedestrian and street traffic. Street trees should allow 7.5 ft. of clearance above the sidewalk. The City has strict requirements for changes to landscaping adjacent to creek beds. Making changes without City approval can result in fees and costly restoration. The City also requires sidewalks to be kept clear of obstructions, including planters and portable sports equipment.

CC&R REMINDERS

• ARC Reminder: If you're thinking about starting those home improvement and landscaping projects, remember that you need to submit an ARC application before you begin any work. Questions about ARC's? Check out the NWCM Homeowner FAQ to learn the whys, whens, and hows of the process. The link on the right side of this page also contains information on the ARC approval process.